Monte Walsh
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Movie Reviews of Monte Walsh
Movie Review: These Cowboys Displayed Admirable Independence
Summary: 5 Stars
The cowboys portrayed in this Tom Selleck western performed a disservice for all of the people today who think government assistance is the only means of improving your life. Why, they didn't appear to need the government at all! This, in the thinking of many Americans, is highly unpatriotic.These cowboys simply endured terrible working conditions, being outdoors in all weathers, without whining; an episode during the early part of the film shows Walsh (Selleck) driving through a terrible winter storm, all on his own, giving no thought whatever to this hazardous workplace situation or complaining to a union representative.
The movie opens with numerous cowboys unemployed due to modernization and corporate expansion into the cattle industry. They foolishly continued traveling about, in search of work, rather than appealing to the government for welfare assistance -- the implication being they were rather independent sorts given to earning their subsistence rather than begging or demanding it from the state.
These unfortunate men obviously had no labor union representation whatever, and could be fired/hired based on the judgment of employers. This in UnAmerican, as about half of us today (per a survey conducted November 2000) believe that a worker's need for his paycheck has priority over his employer's ability to provide it, since all employers are evil and rich.
These cowboys were subject to egregious workplace harassment, as when they drove a herd to a railhead only to see it spooked by an insensitive engineer who considered it "fun" to blow the whistle and spook the herd. The cowboys, rather than squealing to Human Resources or filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board, then horribly vandalized the train. Because the train was owned by a large greedy corporation, that really wasn't a problem -- but the action constituted reverse harassment against the train personnel who had participated in the hostile whistle prank, as they felt scared and threatened in this hostile working environment.
There was no sort of Federal Lunch Program, and the cowboys were forced to eat food cooked in obviously unregulated circumstances, vulnerable to the cook's sabotage. (The dinner incident constituted additional harassment, but the cowboys again did not file any sort of complaint.)
The big evil greedy cattle companies provided no sort of retirement programs. It was required, after your trade usefulness had expired, for you to ride your horse over a cliff.
Finally, these American cowboys didn't appear to understand the need for lawyers, as they simply took the law into their own hands and did what they thought was correct (but their thinking obviously was flawed -- see the seven paragraphs above). They probably would have just shot a lawyer, had any lawyer on Earth possessed sufficient merit to be in the presence of men like this.
Movie Review: Selleck's third TNT Western is a poignant goodbye to the cowboy way of life
Summary: 5 Stars
This 2003 remake of "Monte Walsh" was Tom Selleck's third (but hopefully not last) Western for TNT, and it is probably the most stirring film tribute to the end of the Old West and the cowboy way of life. This is saying quite a bit as some fine Westerns like "The Wild Bunch", "The Shootist", and (even more recently) "Open Range" as well as other movies have dealt with the changes resulting from progress as the U.S. was about to enter the twentieth century.
Other reviewers have covered the plot line in great detail already, so I won't retread that ground. Suffice it to say that, while Selleck's Monte Walsh is the hero of the picture, he is portrayed with character flaws intact as well. Montelius Walsh loves three things in life: horses, women, and drinking (and the order of these things changes at different times in his life). He is stubborn, afraid to commit to Martine (his favorite prostitute whom he does seem to love), and refuses to change. He is also hard-working and loyal to his friends, especially his best buddy Chet (played by Keith Carradine), and these qualities are what make his character heroic and the storyline affecting.
I'm convinced that if Selleck had starred primarily in Westerns throughout his film career, then his movie success would have dwarfed his "Magnum P.I." role. The TNT Westerns, along with his three previous Westerns dating back to 1979's "The Sacketts", establish him as a premier cowboy actor. "Monte Walsh" is the finest of those efforts to date, and it is to be hoped that Selleck will 'saddle up' again soon; perhaps he'll even reunite with Sam Elliott with whom he starred in his first two made-for-TV Westerns and who has also made some first-rate Westerns for TNT.
Watch this one. It's an elegiac tribute to the passing of the Old West and the American cowboy. May both continue to live on in films!
Movie Review: Know how Monte Felt
Summary: 5 Stars
As another man said, the plot has been explained by others pretty thoroughly, and as I went through these reviews a gentleman from Nevada put a different spin on his particular review; as a third generation cowboy he used this film to teach a city boy why he his the way he his. I didn't do that. Well, sorta.
I am a fourth generation rancher and cowhunter in Florida (used to be a top five beeve cattle state) and will be the last. Not because I lack children, but rather because in less than two decades my county has turned form ranchland to suburbs and native Crackers and cowhunters such as myself have become a small and declining minority in our own land. I have become Monte Walsh, as has just about everyone I grew up with.
I caught this film on TNT and actually welled up a little. When it came out I snatched it up and took it down to the local drinking hole on "John Wayne Night" (we watch a Western and toast the Duke) and convinced the bartender to put it on. She's a sucker for Selleck. I had also invited a batch of my Snowbird (PC for Yankees) pals to sit in. When the movie was over the place was real quiet, then a old timer stood up and said "A toast to all us fence riders!" It was a dang good toast. It was kinda quiet for the rest of the night, but everyone congratulated the choice; it summed us all up. We may be dying out, a bit bitter about it, but by God we'll go out with dignity. As for my Northern pal's reactions, well as the Nevadan's boss said: "Now I get it."
Movie Review: Selleck is wonderful in this timeless movie
Summary: 5 Stars
You don't have to love westerns to appreciate Monte Walsh. There's times where we all might feel a little overwhelmed with modern changes and Selleck's character is no different.
He holds true to himself and his cowboy "code" that so many others lose along the way.
It's a beautiful film with Monte experiencing the highs and lows we all go through in life,; hard work, good times, celebration and loss. All this while the world around him changes. I personally think this is one of the most emotionally touching movies he has made. It really does have everything you look for in a good film.
I truly feel Mr. Selleck is one of the best story-tellers of our time. He reminds me a little of Gregory Peck or Gary Cooper. Boyish at times, yet has presence about him of honor and sincerity. It shows up in all his roles.
I hope Mr. Selleck continues to make these movies. This is the only way I know how to not intrude on someone's privacy, but to say thank you at the same time.
I identified with this movie so much, I actually bought several to give as gifts to friends and family who appreciate a good story.
They loved it, and I'm sure you will to.
Movie Review: Truly an enjoyable and decent fine movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
Such a rarity to see a story told with with respect. It was a joy viewing this movie and not having your intelligence or heritage insulted, with insane anti-Western P.C. foul scenes and lines added, for no reason other than for Bolshevik anti-Western reasons.. This movie was worth every one of my hard earned dollars I spent on it. I do not have cable because of what is on it to me is so sophomoric,and in my opinion is damaging to family and Western Cilvilization. I want to thank Tom Selleck for telling a story that entertained, and also caused one to ponder lifes serious side too, yet had some laughs and smiles, that is so needed in these times. No I am not connected to this movie or the movie business in any way, these are my honest opinions, but if your like me and only buy a very few movies in year, and hate being ripped off, here is a DVD movie you will feel good about and reflective about the story too, this one is worth the purchase. Tom Selleck also did this movie out his own pocket too, from what I read. He is a good man.. Enjoy this one friends..